YASA has set what it believes is a record for the highest power density for an electric motor – almost inadvertently.
Its 13.1kg prototype motor recently produced an output of 550kW, which equates to 42kW/kg. Or 738bhp and 56bhp/kg in old money.
The result is almost double what electric powertrain maker Helix achieved in 2024. YASA says its motor could conceivably be scaled up for sports car-level runs, up to 50,000 units per year – four times the number of cars YASA-linked Lamborghini sold in 2024, for example.
‘We’re not done yet,’ said YASA CTO Tim Woolmer on LinkedIn. ‘We get on the “big dyno” this summer.’ Drive System Design’s dyno was used for the prototype, and it ordinarily has a 500kW limit.
Tim went on to say: ‘This tech can unlock new vehicle architectures – but more on this later in the year!’
The prototype is also made with traditional materials, in a traditional manner, and has what Tim labelled ‘insane cooling performance’.
Such technology will be pioneered from YASA’s new HQ at Bicester Motion, which is nearing completion at The Ranges.